Honing and peening arrangement



Dec. 23, 1969 L. GORDON HONING AND PEENING ARRANGEMENT Filed Dec. 19,1966 FIG. 2

INVENTOR.

MASON L. GORDON ATTORNEYfi Patented Dec. 23, 1969 US. Cl. 51-8 17 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An arrangement for cleaning hollow objects inwhich the objects to be cleaned are placed around tubes in a vesselcontaining a particulate material soluble in a known liquid togetherwith a saturated solution of said material in said liquid. A gas nozzleis located inside the tubular member for inducing a flow of saidsolution and particulate material to impinge upon the interior of thehollow object and clean or peen by mechanical action. After this, thehollow object is placed in a similar vessel and rinsed with the liquidfor dissolving any residual quantity of the particulate material.

This invention pertains to an improved arrangement for honing or peeningby impinging particulate materials against a part. Residual particlessubsequently are removed by dissolving them.

In the cleaning of parts, vapor blasting is a commonly used technique. Astream of particulate material is di rected against the part, to hone itby mechanical action as the particles cut away surface irregularities. Aproblem has arisen from the adhesion of the particles in openings orcrevices in the workpiece against which they are blasted. Also, thenozzles through which the particles are discharged may become cloggedwith the particles. It is a difficult and slow operation to remove theparticles once they have adhered in that manner. Often, the particlescannot be dislodged from the workpiece without destroying it so that thepart becomes a total loss. Consequently, it has been impossible toassure satisfactory vapor blasting of certain types of parts.

The present invention overcomes these difliculties through the use of asoluble material for honing or peening. The soluble particles simply aredissolved to remove them to assure that there will be no residualparticles remaining in the workpiece. This also assures that theblasting nozzles can be kept clean. In order to make certain of theright concentration of particulate material, with unia form blasting andthe absence of clogging of the nozzles, it is preferred to use an excessof the soluble particulate in a saturated solution of that material.Particularly suitable is sodium chloride in a saturated sodium chloridesolution. The blasting may take place through air injection accomplishedby providing an air nozzle within an open-ended tube adjacent which thepart is positioned. The entire assembly is submerged in the solutionwithin a tank. When the air is blasted through the nozzle, it induces aflow of the particulate material against the workpiece to accomplish thehoning or peening action. After this, the parts are blown dry and thenthe operation is repeated in a second container of clear water. Allresidual particles are dissolved and removed, and the part iseffectively honed and not contaminated by particles adhering to it.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved honing or peeningarrangement.

Another object of this invention is to provide for honing or peeningwith the ability to remove residual particles from the workpiece.

A further object of this invention is to accomplish honing or peeningrapidly and economically.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a honing or peeningarrangement adapted. for volume pro duction.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view, partially in elevation, illustrating ahoning device constructed in accordance with this invention;

:FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating theindividual honing unit prior to blasting the material against the part;and

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, illustrating the action as thehoning takes place.

In the embodiment shown, the invention is adapted for cleaning theinteriors of conventional metal foil tubes. Even after the most carefulmanufacture, metal foil tubes retain burrs which subsequently can becomedislodged and contaminate the contents of the tubes. This situation isintolerable for many uses, such as where the tube is to retain a medicalpreparation. Another area where clean foil tubes is essential is in thestorage of high-performance adhesives which are catalyzed and kept in afrozen condition to arrest the reaction so that they will not set upuntil after thawed and ready for use. Such adhesives must be completelypure and free of foreign substances.

As shown in FIGURE 1, there is provided a container 10 that is adaptedto be substantially filled with a material 11 that includes theparticulate matter used in the honing operation. Within the vessel 10 atits bottom wall 12 is a manifold 13 to which is connected an air line14. The manifold 13 is a block of metal, such as aluminum, the interiorof which defines a cavity 15. The air to enter the cavity 15 from theline 14 is supplied by a compressor 16 that is controlled by a valve 17.

Openings are provided in the top wall 19 of the manifold 13, and intothese are pressed small tubes 20. The latter elements serve as the airnozzles in the use of the device of this invention. The nozzles 20 arepositioned in a parallel relationship and equally spaced apart.

Each nozzle 20 extends into an open-ended larger sleeve 21, typically ofaround inch outside diameter and A inch inside diameter. The upper end22 of each nozzle 20 terminates below the upper end 23 of the sleeve 21that receives it. The inside diameter of the sleeve 21 is greater thanthe outside diameter of the nozzle 20 so that there is a space betweenthe circumferential wall of the nozzle 29 and that of the interior ofthe sleeve 21.

The sleeves 21 are carried by a plate 24 that is supported by studs 25above and in a parallel relationship to the upper wall 19 of themanifold 13. The sleeves 21 may be pressed into openings in the plate 24so that they are projecting above the plate 24 and held in a parallelrelationship.

A post 26 extends upwardly from the center of the plate 24 and providessupport for a perforated stop plate 27. Circular openings 28, which arealigned with the nozzle and sleeve assemblies, provide the perforationsin the plate 27. The post 26 includes a shoulder 29 upon which the plate27 rests, while the opening 30 through the plate 27 is slightly largerin diameter than the section 31 of the post that extends through it. Anut 32 is received on the upper end of the post 26, but is slightlyabove the upper surface of the plate 27. Consequently, a clearance isprovided at the mounting of the plate 27 so that limited floatingmovement of the plate 27 is possible.

The material 11 in the vessel 10 comprises a saturated solution of aparticulate material, together with an excess of the particulate.Especially suitable is table salt, be-

cause it is very carefully graded as to size and is available insubstantial quantities at low prices. Thus, the material 11 in thevessel typically is a saturated sodium chloride solution with an excessof sodium chloride added to it. This means that the material 11 is notmerely a liquid, but includes also sodium chloride crystals ofsubstantially uniform size. In order to maintain the salt particlesdispersed throughout the liquid in the vessel 10, a paddle 34 isprovided, driven by a shaft 35. This keeps the material in the tankstirred up so that the salt crystals are evenly distributed.

In use of the device of this invention, the perforated plate 27 isremoved from the post 26 and the metal foil tubes 36 to be cleaned arefitted over the sleeves 21, with their unfolded open ends resting on thesupport plate 24. Several tubes 36 may be introduced at once for acleaning operation. It is conventional to package tubes upon manufacturein boxes containing one gross each, so that it is convenient to provideone hundred forty-four sleeve and nozzle assemblies to enable a gross oftubes to be cleaned at one time.

The parts of the tube-cleaning device are proportioned relative to thetubes to be cleaned such that the circumferential wall 37 of the tube 36is spaced outwardly from the circumference of the sleeve 21. Also, theupper end 23 of the sleeve is adjacent but spaced from the convergentsection 38 of the tube 36 that leads to the externally threaded taperingtip 39.

With the perforated plate 27 replaced after the tubes 36 have beenfitted over the sleeves 21, the tips 39 extend through the openings 28.The tips 39 are smaller in diameter than the openings 28 so that aclearance is rovided around the tips. Also, the shoulder provided by theinwardly tapering section 38 of the tube is slightly beneath theundersurface of the plate 27, spaced from it approximately 4 inch.

Prior to the honing operation, the tube 36 inevitably will have a burr40 midway along the sloping surface of the section 38 that connects thewall 37 to the tip 39. This burr arises from a mold parting line that isincluded in the manufacture of the tubes 36 to permit them to be ejectedfrom the die. In addition, in the entrance portion 41 of the tip 39,burrs will occur from chuck marks Where the tube is gripped during itsmanufacture. Occasionally, an additional burr is found at the exitopening 42 of the tip 39. All these burrs will be removed by the honingarrangement of this invention.

In operation of the device, the valve 17 is opened to admit air from theinlet line 14 into the cavity of the manifold 13. This air, which istypically shop air at 100 p.s.i., then discharges through the smallnozzles 20. Higher pressure air can be used with even greatereffectiveness. The air leaving the ends 22 of the nozzles acts as anejector, inducing a flow of the material 11 through the sleeve 21. Thus,the material 11 circulates through the bottom end of the sleeve 21,discharging from the top end 23. Consequently, a flow takes place ofair, saturated salt solution and salt crystals. This stream of materialagainst the interior of the tube 36 causes the tube 36 to rise upwardlyuntil the portion 38 bears against the undersurface of the plate 27adjacent the opening 28. The stream of material impinges upon thesection 38 of the tube, but does not strike the thinner side wall 37.The material flows into the entrance 41 of the tip 39, but, because ofthe narrow opening through the tip 39, most of the material thenreverses its direction to exit through the open bottom end of the tube36, which now is spaced above the plate 24 due to the upward movement ofthe tube. A small portion of the stream of material flows through thetip 39 and discharges through the exit opening 42. As the salt crystalsare driven across the surfaces of the tube in this manner, all burrseffectively are removed by mechanical action. The salt thoroughly cutsolf the burr at the ridge 40 along the surface 38,

ill

the chuck marks at the entrance 41, as well as the burr that may occurat the tip 42.

Because of the clearance at the connection between the plate 27 and thepost 26, the plate moves a certain amount as the blasting operationtakes place. This is oscillatory and vibratory movement, which causesthe tubes 36 to move slightly relative to the stream that is beingimpinged upon them. This assures that the blasting does not take placeon a localized area within the tubes 36, but that it is distributedthroughout the critical portion of the tubes to assure that the burrsare removed in their entirety. The tubes also are free to turn and shiftposition at the stop plate 27 where there is no rigid connection to theplate, which also helps distribute the cutting action. Moreover, toincrease this floating effect, the air blast may be appliedintermittently rather than continuously. Typically, in operating thedevice, the air blast will remain on for a total of 30 seconds, appliedin fivesecond increments.

After the burrs have been cleaned from the tubes 36 in this manner, thetubes are removed from the tank 10, then dried at least partially by ablast of air. Then they are placed in a second vessel identical to thetank 10, again being fitted over sleeves that surround air nozzles. Thesecond vessel, however, contains clear water rather than salt and asaturated salt solution. In the second container, the air nozzles areoperated as before, causing a flow of water to occur along the interiorof the tubes 36 being cleaned. This Water blast effectively dissolvedany remaining salt particles on the tubes. Then, when the tubes 36 areremoved from the water, they not only will not have burrs, but they willbe entirely free from any residual particles of the blasting medium.There is no danger of contamination of the tubes because the particlesused in the honing operation all will be dissolved and removed.Moreover, the blasting nozzles do not become clogged and are easily keptfree by the air ejectors. At the same time, the salt crystals that areused in the honing operation are of the proper size to accomplish thecutting operation needed, are uniform to assure the absence of clogging,yet are not overly abrasive and will not damage the tubes. Ordinarytable salt is suitable.

The tank 10 containing clear water without the particulate material canbe used for washing the tubes in the first instance rather than blastingthe tubes with the salt crystals. This is not as effective because theburrs will not be removed in the absence of the cutting action by theparticulate. However, the liquid alone will wash loose material from thetubes satisfactorily, and is quicker and more economical by notrequiring a two-step operation.

The exact amount of excess salt added to the salt solution is notcritical, but the amount for optimum performance easily is establishedempirically. Enough crystalline salt should be present to cut theimperfections from the part in a reasonable time without being soconcentrated as to tend to clog or fail to flow smoothly.

While described as a honing operation, the principles of the inventionoperate equally well for a peening procedure, in which event theparticulate material is selected as one having a round exterior ratherthan a sharp-edged irregular form as for salt crystals. The smoothparticles will produce a peening effect rather than a cutting action.Again, however, the particulate will be of a soluble nature so that itmay be removed from the parts after the peening.

Additionally, the soluble particles may be directed against theworkpiece in a dry form, rather than being included in the liquidcarrier. However, the liquid offers advantages in assuring a uniformstream of particles that does not vary in concentration. Moreover,clogging is more likely to occur when dry particles are used than whenthey are contained in a liquid. While salt in a saltwater solution is aneffective way of cleaning metal foil tubes, it is possible to employother soluble particulates, and to use liquids other than water. In anyevent, however, the residual particles will be removed by the dissolvingaction after the honing or peening has been completed. Additionally, theinvention is not limited to the cleaning of metal foil tubes, but may beused for other kinds of parts as well.

The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as givenby way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of thisinvention being limited solely by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The method of providing honed and peened workpieces comprising thesteps of causing to impinge upon the surface of a workpiece a stream ofparticles soluble in a known fluid,

and then treating said workpiece with said fluid to dissolve desidualparticles adhering thereto.

2. The method of providing honed and peened workpieces comprising thesteps of causing to impinge upon the surface of a workpiece a stream ofparticles soluble in a known liquid together with a saturated solutionof said particles in said liquid,

and then washing said workpiece with said liquid for dissolving residualparticles adhering thereto.

3. The method of honing a workpiece comprising the steps of causing toimpinge upon the surface of a workpiece a stream of salt crystals ofsubstantially uniform size together with a saturated solution of saidsalt crys tals,

and then washing said workpiece with water for dissolving residual saltcrystals adhereing thereto. 4. The method of providing a honed workpiececomprising the steps of providing a saturated aqueous salt solution,providing a quantity of salt crystals in said solution,

then immersing a workpiece in said solution, then discharging a gas insaid solution so as to induce a flow of said crystals and solution thatimpinges on said workpiece,

and then washing said workpiece in water to remove residual saltcrystals therefrom.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 including in addition the step ofagitating said solution while discharging said gas therein fordispersing said salt crystals in said solution.

6. The method as recited in claim 4 in which said salt is sodiumchloride.

7. A device for providing honed and peened workpieces comprising aquantity of particles soluble in a known liquid,

a saturated solution of such particles in said liquid,

said quantity of particles being received in said solution,

means for directing a stream of said particles and said solution againsta workpiece,

and means for washing said workpiece in said liquid after so directingsaid stream thereagainst for thereby dissolving residual particlesadhering to said workpiece.

8. A device as recited in claim 7 in which said particles are sodiumchloride crystals, and in which said known liquid is water.

9. An arrangement for providing a honed and peened workpiece comprisinga vessel,

a quantity of particles in said vessel,

said particles being soluble in a known liquid,

a saturated solution of such particles in said liquid in said vessel,

an open-ended sleeve in said vessel,

and a fluid nozzle in said sleeve in a spaced relationship with the wallthereof,

whereby upon ejection of fluid from said fluid nozzle a flow of saidparticles and said saturated solution is induced through said sleeve forapplication to a workpiece received in said vessel.

10. A device for cleaning metal foil tubes comprising a vessel,

a quantity of substantially uniform sharp-edged particles in saidvessel,

said particles being soluble in a known liquid, a saturated solution ofsaid particles in said liquid in said vessel,

said particles being received in said solution,

a sleeve adapted to be received inside a metal foil tube to be cleaned,

an air nozzle extending into said sleeve in a spaced relationship withthe wall thereof, said sleeve having open ends,

whereby discharge of air from said nozzle induces a flow of saidparticles and said solution through said sleeve,

a support around said sleeve adapted to receive the end of a metal foiltube to be cleaned,

and a stop spaced outwardly from said sleeve for limiting the movementof a metal foil tube during said flow of said particles and solutionthrough said sleeve into such a metal foil tube extending around saidsleeve.

11. A device as recited in claim 10 in which said stop includes a memberhaving an opening adapted to receive the tip portion of said metal foiltube, said member outwardly of said opening being engageable with largerportions of said tube adjacent said tip.

12. A device as recited in claim 10 in which said stop is movable alimited amount for permitting limited floating movement of said tubeduring said flow of said particles and said solution.

13. A device as recited in claim 10 including in addition a secondvessel, second sleeve and second air nozzle similar to saidfirst-mentioned vessel, sleeve and air nozzle,

and a quantity of said known liquid in said second vessel for therebycleaning said workpiece of residual particles following the applicationof said particles and solution to said workpiece in said first-mentionedvessel.

14. A device for cleaning a hollow object having an opening comprising avessel,

a liquid in said vessel,

a sleeve in said vessel in said liquid,

said sleeve having openings for permitting the passage of liquidtherethrough,

said sleeve being adapted to have the open end of a hollow objectextended around said sleeve,

a nozzle means in said sleeve,

means connected to said nozzle for providing compressed fluid to bedischarge by said nozzle means for causing said liquid to be pumpedthrough said sleeve and impinge upon said hollow object,

and stop means spaced from said sleeve for engagement by said hollowobject when said liquid is so pumped through said sleeve for retainingsaid hollow object on said sleeve,

said stop means being movable a limited amount for permitting limitedfloating movement of said hollow object when said hollow object is inengagement with said stop means.

15. A device for cleaning a metal foil tube having a tip portion at oneend, a projecting shoulder inwardly of said tip portion and an openopposite end, comprising avessel,

a liquid in said vessel,

a sleeve in said vessel and in said liquid,

said sleeve being adapted to be received inside the open end of a metalfoil tube,

a fluid nozzle extending into said sleeve in a spaced relationshipwith'the wall thereof,

said fluid nozzle having an exit opening spaced inwardly from one end ofsaid sleeve, said sleeve having open ends whereby discharge of fluidfrom said fluid nozzle induces a flow of said liquid through said sleevefor impingement upon the interior surface of said metal foil tube, andmeans for positioning said metal foil tube around said sleeve forimpingement thereon of said liquid flowing through said sleeve asinduced by said discharge of fluid, said means for positioning said tubeincluding a stop spaced outwardly from one end of said sleeve forprecluding movement of said tube therebeyond dur- 15 ing said flow ofliquid through said sleeve into said tube,

said stop including a member having an opening for receiving the tipportion of said metal foil tube,

said member having a surface around said opening engageable with theshoulder of said tube inwardly of said tip portion upon said flow ofliquid through said sleeve into said tube.

16. A is movable a limited amount for permitting limited floatingmovement of said tube during said flow of said liquid.

device as recited in claim 15 in which said stop 25 17. A device asrecited in claim 15 in which said means for positioning said tubeincludes a support element adapted to have the end of said tube restingthereon, said element being spaced from said member such that saidopening is adapted to receive said tip portion with said surface aroundsaid opening spaced from said shoulder, whereby upon said flow of liquidsaid tube is movable thereby to bring said shoulder into engagement withsaid surface around said opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 843,555 2/1907 Weymar 134221,492,925 5/1924 Knight 134171 X 1,492,957 5/1924 Bots l34166 X1,521,697 1/1925 Marschner 153.5 2,761,250 9/ 1956 Molinari 51-82,811,975 11/1957 Tatibana 134-171 X 2,827,063 3/1958 Roy l34-1713,272,652 9/1966 Wood 134-34 LESTER M. SWINGLE, Primary Examiner US. Cl.X.R.

